Operations of the chest cavity in dogs (thoracic surgery)
Surgery in the chest cavity is often performed because of changes in the oesophagus (gullet) or windpipe as well as the lungs and pericardium. The ribcage has to be opened for these operations so that the natural negative pressure necessary for normal breathing is lost. All patients are therefore ventilated artificially during thoracic surgery.
Please contact us as not every location performs thoracic surgery.
Operations of the abdominal cavity in dogs
Abdominal surgery is often performed to remove foreign bodies from the gastrointestinal tract or treat gastric torsion (stomach twist) in dogs is treated. Bowel obstruction would also be an indication for abdominal surgery. In addition, organs or parts of them, such as the spleen or sections of intestine, are removed when they are so diseased that they can no longer recover. Spaying (neutering) of animals such as female dogs is also an abdominal operation as the ovaries and uterus are located there. In animals such as male dogs it sometimes happens that a testicle does not descend into the scrotum (cryptorchidism) so removal via the abdominal cavity is necessary for neutering.
Some procedures in the abdominal cavity can now be performed minimally invasively. Using an endoscope, a camera, light and working tools are inserted into the operation area through very small openings, avoiding a large wound. In this way, the risks of delayed wound healing are diminished and as little tissue as possible is injured.
Operations on the sex organs and urinary tract in animals
Necessary surgical procedures on the sex organs and urinary tract include, e.g., surgery of pyometra (infection of the uterus) and removal of stones from the bladder or urethra. Bladder stones can sometimes block and damage the urethra so much that an artificial opening has to be made; however, this will be the last step when other treatments don’t work. Naturally, neutering is classically one of the soft tissue operations.
Operations on the skin and tumour removal in animals
In addition, management of injuries of both the skin and the soft tissues beneath it, including blood and lymphatic vessels, is provided. Tumour removal also forms part of soft tissue surgery.
Specialisation is progressing steadily in veterinary medicine too so that there are now vets who are particularly experienced in many areas of surgery and are the right contact for complicated procedures. Standard operations such as treatment of pyometra or gastric torsion can usually be performed by every veterinary practice that performs surgery.
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